Conte is playing a risky game in the transfer market with Chelsea

Conte is playing a risky game in the transfer market with Chelsea

Antonio Conte saw his Chelsea side storm to success in his debut Premier League season, with the Blues lifting their second league crown in the space of three years, but major improvements are needed this summer to improve a side who’s performances declined in the back-end of the season.

The fact that Chelsea endured a rough start to the season last term and saw things dip after Christmas will raise concerns amongst Blues supporters, as Chelsea will have no room to slip-up next season as they contend with a return to Champions League action.

The Blues were fortunate to avoid any major injury issues last season and their lack of depth within the squad was never truly tested but that’s due to change next season, making Conte’s transfer approach thus far questionable.

Chelsea have not yet added any new faces to their ranks this season, but that’s not really an issue as there is still months to go, but the concern is that the Blues seem prepared to offload core members of their squad before securing a replacement.

Nemanja Matic is edging closer to a move to Manchester United, leaving Chelsea’s midfield ranks severely depleted, and Diego Costa has been informed he is surplus to requirements and does not have a place in Conte’s plans next season.

Chelsea have been linked with moves for Monaco’s Tiemoue Bakayoko and Everton’s Romelu Lukaku to fill the void in their respective positions but there is always a danger that a deal could fall through, which would leave the Blues fighting against the odds.

The safest, and the most common, scenario sees players surplus to requirements offloaded when a replacement is drafted in, unless of course there is already adequate cover within the squad- which is a luxury Chelsea do not currently have.

Matic’s departures means that only Cesc Fabregas will stand as a senior midfield partner to N’Golo Kante, and the Spaniard has been linked with an exit of his own, whilst Michy Batshuayi will be the striker option if Costa leaves- and he’s also been linked with an exit.

In a ideal world this won’t come back to haunt Chelsea, and it seems a deal for Bakayoko will go ahead, but Everton’s firm stance on Lukaku is an issue as they continue to raise their asking price- and another European giant could swoop in.

Top-class strikers are not so common these days and missing out on a prime target could create havoc to Chelsea’s transfer plans, which is a scenario shown by Manchester United after their failure to land Antoine Griezmann.

This summer, what you don’t get done will be just as crucial as to who you manage to bring in and Chelsea have put themselves with their backs against the wall, with Conte under pressure to come out of the summer positively.